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November 30, 2007 |  |
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Welcome to the November 30, 2007; edition of the MYAS Update In this Issue Pass it on Know anyone who might be interested in our newsletter? Click here to forward this email to up to 5 friends at once. |
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Our newsletter is designed to provide timely youth sports information to coaches, athletes, parents and administrators. This includes notes from the Executive Director, calendar reminders, new service announcements and special events. Contributions from our sponsors assist us in delivering high quality youth sports services at the lowest possible cost; contributions partially fund this newsletter and certain sponsors will be featured. Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer USSSA - A HISTORY LESSON Several MYAS staff members recently attended the USSSA National Conference in Daytona, Florida. The USSSA is celebrating its 40th year and Executive Director Don DeDonatis gave us all a very impressive "history lesson" on the creation and growth of the organization. Since the MYAS serves as the USSSA affiliate for baseball, basketball and volleyball in Minnesota, I thought it might be of some interest to you to hear their story. USSSA was originally an acronym for the United States Slowpitch Softball Association. Back in the late 1960's the USSSA took on the daunting task of competing with the ASA (Amateur Softball Association). Until that time, the ASA was really the only option for America's softball population. The perception was that the ASA spent most of their time and money on their national fastpitch program and little effort nurturing their slowpitch program. Eventually a group of disgruntled slowpitch softball directors decided enough was enough and created the USSSA. Like most newly created organizations, they got off to a rough start and struggled during the early years. However, their fee structure and common sense eligibility and playing rules were well received by the general slowpitch population. By the late seventies they were a viable organization that was picking up steam with each new softball season. By the late 1980's they were firmly entrenched and by the time the 1990's rolled around the USSSA had become "king of the slowpitch mound." In the mid-90's, some of the die hard softball people also had kids who were playing baseball and they were now reliving some of the same problems they had experienced in the softball venues. They found that most of the existing youth baseball organizations were still living in the days of Abner Doubleday and they wanted something different - something more contemporary, cheaper and more "user-friendly." As a result, the USSSA decided to expand their program to include youth baseball. They changed their name to the United States Specialty Sports Association, thus keeping the USSSA acronym intact. I have to confess that when the USSSA first came on the scene I didn't think they'd make it. I thought the ASA was too strong and would eventually crush the newcomers. I had the same thoughts when they first jumped into the world of baseball. It hurts to admit it, but boy was I wrong. USSSA baseball took off like a rocket and by the year 2000, they had established themselves as a viable youth baseball organization that was putting up some pretty impressive numbers. That trend continues, as they registered more than 40,000 baseball teams in 2007. Do the math. If the average baseball team has 13 players and two coaches, that means there were approximately 600,000 participants in this year's USSSA baseball program. By comparison, the AAU baseball program (in existence since the mid-1980's) registered fewer than 50,000 participants. The USSSA really got our attention when they decided to expand into basketball and soccer in 2000. At first we resisted but by 2004 we began testing the waters and dual registering some of our baseball and basketball events with both the AAU and USSSA. This led to an eventual "showdown" between the MYAS and the AAU, and our relationship with the AAU ended in the fall of 2005. Note: The 2007 USSSA youth basketball program boasted more than 80,000 participants and they are projecting close to 100,000 for 2008. In 2005, the USSSA continued to expand by adding taekwondo and volleyball. While both programs are new to the USSSA, they both appear to be growing and the timing seems to be perfect for them to make some things happen - especially in volleyball. Speaking of volleyball, I am the new USSSA National Volleyball Director. The previous director had to resign due to a career change and the USSSA asked me if I would serve as their interim director until someone else could be appointed or elected. I look forward to this new challenge and will do my best to duplicate the efforts that have already been made in baseball and basketball. Well, there you have it. That's the 40-year history of the USSSA. They began with a single focus on softball and are now the largest multi-sport organization in the country - and still growing by leaps and bounds. While I admit to being somewhat stubborn, I'm not stupid. It took us awhile to recognize a good thing, but eventually even a blind squirrel finds an acorn.
The winter basketball season is upon us. Up to date information and entry forms for all of our traveling basketball programs are posted on our website. Simply click on a program title below to be directed to its web page. Boys' Super Saver Basketball Tournaments Boys' Traveling Basketball League MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships 2008 MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships We are excited to announce that information for the 2008 MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships is now available on our website. We hope that you will participate in our March Madness! The event will be held on March 7-9 (girls) and March 14-16 (boys). The tournament brochure, rules and regulations, entry application, code of conduct and hotel information can all be found on the Grade State web page. Gopher State Spring Basketball The winter season has just kicked off for high school and youth basketball teams across the state. The MYAS staff has several holiday wishes for all of you as we head into a new year.
The Gopher State spring basketball season kicks off on the weekend of March 29-30. The 2008 "Quest for the Rings" Spring Championship dates have also been set. All of the girls' championships and the boys' 9U-11U championships will be held on May 16-18. All other boys' championships will take place on May 30-June 1. The Gopher State spring calendar is online now - check it out at www.myas.org. We are currently putting together our spring host calendar. If your organization would like to host a Gopher State spring tournament as a fundraiser, please contact Rich Penick at 763-781-2220 x 1724 or rich@myas.org. New for 2008(?): We are attempting to coordinate a spring "Tournament of Champions" event for teams that have won any of our spring tournaments and teams from surrounding states that have won invitationals in their area. The event would be "invitation only." Watch for more information in the coming months. We thank you for your continued support and participation in our programs. We wish all of you a safe and joyous holiday season and a great winter of basketball! In our ongoing education mission, we will periodically highlight various playing rules in the MYAS Update. This month's issue features three basic basketball rules. 1. Which is bigger - the front court or the back court? 2. When does the three-second count stop and restart? 3. Is there such a call as "over the back" in high school rules? Just so you don't cheat, we'll post the answers to these rules later in the e-letter (see "In this Issue" for the link). Good luck! On Monday, January 7, 2008, the MYAS will hold its baseball annual meeting at 7:00pm at the Ramada Minneapolis NW/Grand Rios in Brooklyn Park. We will be discussing all 2008 MYAS baseball tournaments and any changes in GSTC procedures and qualification. This meeting is scheduled to last no more than an hour. The MYAS baseball staff will be available to answer any questions the group may have once the meeting is finished. We hope to see at least one representative from every Minnesota and western Wisconsin baseball association at the meeting. Please click here to access directions to the Ramada Minneapolis NW. In the meantime, enjoy your off-season! Attention 2008 Baseball Tournament Directors! The MYAS Youth Baseball Tournament listings page is now available for you to utilize our FREE advertising service for your 2008 invitationals. Click here to access the Youth Baseball Tournament page on the MYAS website. Once you click on a specific age group you'll find the "Add Your Tournament to this list" link. From there, you can enter your tournament information and add a tournament flyer at no cost to your association. On the tournament page, you'll find specific information as to when GSTC qualifiers will be determined. We will also be discussing this process in more detail at our baseball annual meeting on Monday, January 7 (see information above). Gopher State Baseball Tournament of Champions The Gopher State Tournament of Champions is open to teams from Minnesota and other states as long as they have earned a berth from the series of invitational tournaments that are GSTC qualifying events. Teams must be community-based, or formed through their local baseball association. No "renegade" or "all-star" teams will knowingly be allowed to participate in the GSTC. The champions of this tournament will receive custom made GSTC rings made by Jostens. Each player on championship teams will recieve a personalized ring complete with their name, uniform number and team record. GSTC Qualifiers are designed to advance teams into the Gopher State Tournament of Champions. The first and second place teams in each qualifier will receive automatic berths. If the they have already earned berths, then the berths will be awarded to the third and fourth place teams. Every team participating in a qualifier will receive qualification points as long as they register on the GSTC standings web page. These points are used to award at-large berths to teams that did not earn automatic berths. 2008 Gopher State Tournament of Champions Dates & Sites 10AAA * July 18-20 * St. Louis Park 11AAA * July 18-20 * Eden Prairie 12AAA * July 18-20 * Inver Grove Heights 13AAA * July 18-20 * Burnsville 14AAA * July 18-20 * Andover/Blaine 15AAA * July 18-20 * Brainerd 2008 Gopher State Baseball Midsummer Challenge The Gopher State Midsummer Challenge serves as the USSSA State Tournament and is an excellent way for teams to advance to a USSSA World Series event and travel around the country. USSSA baseball is an avenue for Minnesota teams to compete against top teams from the state and across the country. The Midsummer Challenge events also act as GSTC Qualifiers for teams that may not be interested in traveling to a USSSA World Series. 2008 Gopher State Midsummer Challenge (USSSA State Tournament) 10AAA * June 6-8 * Mahtomedi 11AAA * June 6-8 * Mahtomedi 12AAA * June 13-15 * Apple Valley 13AAA * June 20-22 * Mendota Heights 14AAA * June 13-15 * Maple Grove 15AAA * June 13-15 * Apple Valley 16U Open * TBD 18/19U Open * June 27-29 * Fridley The Midsummer Challenge entry fee includes a USSSA team entry fee. Therefore, no additional membership fees are required. The fee provides you with USSSA insurance and access to all programs within the USSSA. Gopher State Wrestling Information The MYAS Gopher State Wrestling Championship has earned the reputation of being the toughest tournament in Minnesota. In 2007 there were 1,235 registered wrestlers representing Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Michigan. Wrestlers from all states are eligible to participate in all Gopher State wrestling events. The program has seen tremendous growth since its inception in 2002. We thank you for your participation and look forward to another great season. To access more information, please click on the appropriate link below. Gopher State Wrestling Championships Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships We'd like to thank all the girls' 7th/8th teams that participated in the inaugural Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championship on November 4 at Burnsville High School! It was an awesome event and we're already looking forward to 2008. Congratulations to our top teams in the 2007 tournament! 1st Place: Blue Earth Area Entry forms are now available for all of our 2008 Gopher State Volleyball events. All Gopher State tournaments will be sanctioned through USSSA Volleyball, meaning you are NOT required to purchase USAV memberships or pay any additional fees! For complete information, please visit the volleyball portion of the MYAS website. If you are interested in hosting or have any other questions, please contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-781-2220 x 1733 or jessica@myas.org. Answers to Basketball Rules of the Month 1. By rule, to get to the front court both feet and the ball must cross the center court line, which is two inches wide. To be considered in the back court again, you only need to touch (not cross) the center court line. Therefore, the back court is bigger than the front court by the width of the center court line. (NFHS rulebook Pages 30-31, Rule 4-13-1 & 2) 2. The three-second count stops when a player begins a try for a goal. The count starts again when a member of the shooter's team regains control of the ball. 3. There is no such call as (or hand signal for) "over the back" in the NFHS rulebook. Player A may be taller than and reach above Player B, but that does not constitute a foul. In order for a foul to be called, Player A must displace or hold Player B. Calendar Updates (as of 11/29/07) Annual Baseball Meeting - January 7th, 2008 Girls Basketball Openings - December 8 Attention Baseball Tournament Directors for 2008 Breakfast with Santa at the Ramada/Grand Rios BTBL and GMBL Secondary Deadline- We can still get you in! Gopher State Wrestling Information Now Posted Winter Basketball Opportunities for 9th, 10th, 11th/12th Graders ATTENTION IN-HOUSE BASKETBALL DIRECTORS MYAS Position on Waivers For Winter Basketball Registration Materials Now Available! 2008 Rec State Basketball Championships Gopher State Girls Basketball Apparel Do You Want to Play at the Target Center? Click Here MYAS TRAVELING BASKETBALL GUIDELINES Important Association Services That Work! The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services offers three important services: 1. Association and Player Sports Accident Insurance Coverage The MYAS has partnered with the agency that handles the majority of insurance concerns for the Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) around the nation. There are two broad types of insurance coverage that are both included in the MYAS insurance program: General Liability and Player Sports Accident . This program is offered by the American Insurance Group (AIG) company and provides a liability and player sports accident insurance policy that, in some cases, is cheaper than what some associations pay for just a liability policy. We also offer Director’s and Officer’s Insurance for participating associations. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org. 2. Criminal Background Checks In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that $50 billion is lost annually due to employee theft and fraud. Youth sports associations must protect themselves from this threat as well. Don’t put your association at risk! Fortunately, youth sports associations now have a simple and inexpensive tool to avoid some of society’s worst fears. The MYAS, with its partner RHR Information Systems (RHR), has designed a criminal background check system that offers three affordable options to youth sports associations. RHR, a local Twin Cities company, incorporates a “user-friendly” process combined with flexible information delivery to make this system easy and inexpensive for your organization. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org. 3. Coaching Education ProgramThe MYAS has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to offer youth sport associations and their coaches the Coach Youth Sport education program designed specifically for youth coaches. It provides coaches with a solid foundation in coaching principles, sport first aid and sport-specific techniques and tactics. These courses are available for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and wrestling and can be delivered in the classroom or online. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org.
Jammed Fingers, Finger Sprains Common in Sport If you've ever jammed your finger trying to catch a ball, you know how painful it can be. More than this, jammed fingers and finger sprains can be severe, resulting in torn tendons or fractures. Use these tips from Minnesota Sports Medicine to treat your injured finger. 2. Ice the affected area. Submerge the finger in ice water for five to 10 minutes, or apply ice to the joint to reduce pain and swelling. Repeat for the next several hours. 3. Support the joint using athletic tape. Buddy tape the injured finger to its neighbor to keep it still, applying a thin strip of tape above and below the knuckle. 4. Seek medical attention if the finger is deformed or severely swollen, or if it is too painful to move. To find a sports medicine physician in the Twin Cities, visit the Minnesota Sports Medicine website. For an appointment, please call 612-273-4800.
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MYAS membership meetings are held at our offices (4111 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights) on the last Tuesday of each month at 9:00am (unless notified otherwise). All MYAS members are welcome to attend. |
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